Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 37]
What is the matter?
You've seemed so absent-minded all day.
Are you still worried about the 10-day pact?
Once Zhong Da gets my message, he'll know what to do.
Tell me right now.
What exactly is the condition that Guo Jia proposed?
He wants you to marry Cao Cao's daughter.
Am I right?
He doesn't.
Don't take any wild guesses.
Cao Pi already told me everything.
That's Cao Cao's wishful thinking.
I didn't consent to it.
Today...
I saw Miss Cao going around with you to treat the soldiers.
The two of you...
You seem well-suited for each other.
This can be a solution.
I can give up my position.
Stop imagining things.
I've already told Guo Jia that it's impossible.
You have to trust me as well as Zhong Da.
You're the only one I want as my empress.
But I want to save you.
I can't...
I can't lose you because of that!
Don't worry.
You won't lose me.
Nor will I lose you.
We'll always be together.
If anyone could even get this close to unveiling this secret
it would have to be you, Guo Feng Xiao.
I knew that one day
Feng Xiao would get a glimpse into this huge secret.
The current emperor is the biological son of Emperor Ling
and the twin of the late emperor.
Our nation is in peril.
Things remain as ever, yet he is here no more.
The nation is hanging on to the last heir of the imperial lineage.
Rectify the turbulent times with a pure mind.
He could be a puppet.
He could be a benevolent ruler.
You have the talent to bend the events of the world.
You should also aspire to be compassionate to others.
You should make your own choice.
You were pretending to sleep again!
I wasn't.
Think about it.
What else can I do but sleep when I sit in a wheelchair all day?
You were peeking at me for quite a while.
What were you thinking?
Nothing much.
I think I should tell your father that you've put on weight
sitting in a wheelchair.
My father?
Your father has sent me some yam from Wen County.
He asked me to steam some for you.
Yam?
My father is quite amusing.
These are for me, but he actually sent them to you.
Your father must be worried that Cao Cao has you under close surveillance
so it might've been inconvenient.
You're still calling him my father?
My father has made it very clear.
He's already regarded you as his daughter-in-law.
He asked you to bring yam to me.
It's obvious that he wants me to build up my... stamina.
While Cao Cao is away
I should get my father and Lang to come here.
We'll hold the wedding here.
When Yi He returns, we'll make up for the wedding banquet.
Stop fooling around!
How is this fooling around?
Young Master, there's a messenger dove.
I knew it.
Whenever he acts alone, he always gets into trouble.
Is His Majesty in trouble?
We ask to seek audience with His Majesty!
How insolent!
You've gathered before the palace gates and made such a commotion!
It's as good as a rebellion! Guards!
Arrest all of those who are leading this crowd!
You've confined the emperor and kept him from his subjects!
That's treason!
If we can't see His Majesty, we'd rather die here!
We want to see His Majesty!
- Prefect Xun. - Prefect Xun.
Prefect Xun.
Lord Man, have your men step back.
Step back.
Gentlemen, heed my advice.
His Majesty is unwell and is in need of recuperation.
Please leave immediately so as not to alarm His Majesty.
Your actions go against the principles of a subject.
His Majesty is unwell.
The officials should all the more be allowed to visit
so as to abide by the etiquette of a subject.
Prefect Xun, why would you and Lord Man deliberately keep us out?
Could it be... as it is rumored?
That His Majesty has been held hostage by Minister Cao in the army
and hence, he's unable to attend the imperial court?
If the emperor really is in the army
isn't Minister Cao holding the emperor hostage?
You were all born and raised of gentry.
You're well learned and aware of the rites.
Even if you object to matters regarding the imperial court
you should submit reports to appeal for it
and seek His Majesty's judgment.
If everyone comes and makes a commotion
outside the palace for every single matter
what do you take the laws for?
What do you take His Majesty for?
We've learned much from Prefect Xun's invaluable advice.
However, we're worried about His Majesty.
We can neither eat nor sleep well.
Please make an exception to allow us into the palace to visit His Majesty.
Then the rumors will die down and the people will be appeased.
I'll convey your concern to His Majesty when I visit the palace.
Gentlemen... do you not trust me?
Prefect Xun--
If so, please visit His Majesty on our behalf.
May Your Majesty recover soon!
- May Your Majesty recover soon! - May Your Majesty recover soon!
You are dismissed.
Minister Steward Kong.
Prefect Xun, are you visiting the palace?
I'll come along with you.
Minister Steward Kong, His Majesty is unwell.
It's best not for him not to have too many visitors.
If there's anything to report, I'll do so on your behalf.
He's unwell?
The last time you said he was unwell
was when Cao Cao forced him to go all the way to Guandu.
Now that he's unwell again
where has His Majesty gone?
Minister Steward Kong, please don't make such assumptions.
You received your wages from the Cao family.
However, I'm an official of the imperial family!
We don't share a common ground.
I don't believe a word you say.
It's a pity that an outstanding man of talent like you
can't escape the fate of being recorded as a disloyal subject in history.
What?
Cao Cao has held His Majesty hostage
in an attempt to harm him?
Exactly.
We must spread the word immediately.
We have to make as big of a fuss as possible.
Then everyone will believe
that Cao Cao forced His Majesty to join the army.
Then Cao Cao will be left with only one choice.
What is it?
He has to protect His Majesty.
His Majesty has been unwell.
He's already been absent from the imperial court for 10 days.
Exactly. What is this about?
For the past 10 days
we all thought that His Majesty's absence was due to his ill health.
Who could have known that we'd all been deceived by Cao Cao?
What does this mean?
I only found out today
that 10 days ago, that treacherous Cao Cao forced His Majesty
to join his army in heading up north!
He's obviously trying to kill His Majesty to usurp the throne!
This...
Under such circumstances
we can only join in a common effort to travel up north
to bring His Majesty back to the Imperial Palace.
Even if we can't manage to do so
we must submit a joint report to prevent Cao Cao from taking action!
Now that His Majesty's life in in the clutches of Cao Cao
should there be any mistakes on our behalf
400 years of the Han Empire will be destroyed in an instant!
Late Emperor Gao Zu!
Late Emperor Shi Zu!
The ancestors of the imperial family!
How innocent your descendant is to be in such peril!
Prefect Xun, Master of Writing Cui is here to see you.
Yes.
I've come today to ask just one question.
Please answer me honestly.
Master of Writing Cui.
You've come here because of His Majesty, haven't you?
Exactly.
Has His Majesty really been held hostage by Minister Cao
and is going on the expedition to the north as they said?
His Majesty suggested it himself!
Now that it has come to such, who would believe that?
A subject intimidates his ruler and puts the nation in danger.
Prefect Xun, how can you not talk him out of such frenzied actions
but, instead, cover it up for them?
How have I not tried hard to dissuade them from it?
Minister Cao insisted on doing so.
It has already come to such.
His Majesty has already traveled up north.
If I don't cover this up for them
the imperial court is bound to descend into chaos immediately.
By then...
How am I to answer to Minister Cao and all of the officials?
Prefect Xun, you're wrong.
I always remembered that when Prefect Xun was first elected for piety
you were enraged by Dong Zhuo's tyranny and cruelty.
You abandoned your post to return to your hometown.
Then there was the alliance of the feudal lords
that was formed to suppress Dong Zhuo.
Prefect Xun, you had first defected to Yuan Shao
and then Cao Cao.
However, you only did so to serve the emperor
and set the imperial court back on track.
All scholars look up to Prefect Xun for your loyalty and conscience.
They regard you as the hope in restoring power to the imperial family.
Sadly, 10 years flew by.
Prefect Xun has long forgotten your true intent in becoming an official.
My true intent?
My true intent...
Minister Cao's true intent...
Have we both forgotten about it?
Prefect Xun was diligent as a youth.
You held an unique perspective.
You had the intent to save the world from danger and destruction.
You welcomed the emperor into the capital.
Did you do all that just to attain fame and wealth?
But Minister Cao recognized my talent and employed me!
Do you mean to imply that Minister Cao
isn't an official of the Han Empire?
The wages of the imperial family and those of Yuan Shao...
When I was in Hebei, I, too, couldn't sleep as I debated over that.
However...
I was fortunate enough to be given a timely warning by someone!
That was how I managed to come to my senses.
I wonder who could have enlightened you?
It was His Majesty.
His Majesty?
Lu Yu and the scholars made a huge scene outside the palace today.
Xun Yu and Man Chong were both in a terrible fix.
Will this plan of yours really work?
After they made such a fuss today
it's now made known that the emperor was taken to the north as a hostage.
Even if Cao Cao announces Yi He's identity to the world
no one will believe him.
Instead, they will think that Cao Cao is cooking up a story
in order to kill the emperor for his throne.
Should any mishap befall upon Yi He
Cao Cao will end up notorious for generations, just like Dong Zhuo.
I assume that Cao Cao won't dare to take any actions slightly.
What if he doesn't care about leaving behind a notorious reputation?
Politics are just like gambling.
How can you not place a bet when you're at the table?
Besides, this is my one and only bet.
Even if there's only one glimmer of hope, I'll still give it my all.
You're just like Yang Xiu.
You're both adventurous gamblers.
Exactly.
Adventures make one's heart race.
You have to believe that I have thought long and hard
about every move I make.
Look.
The sky and the earth are just like two sides of a balance.
The stars are the pawns.
If everything goes as we wished for, we can play the game with all heroes.
Isn't that the greatest joy in life?
Your Majesty, with a raging epidemic of flu in the army
it can be contagious.
You should wash your hands
before drinking Palace Steward Leng's medication.
You're almost half a doctor now after spending so much time with us.
Have you heard from the capital yet?
Don't be frightened.
I'm not.
But can Your Majesty be calm enough to treat the patients?
I've been able to do what I like over the past few days
and spend time with the one I love.
Is there anything more joyous in the world?
Being with you...
also makes my heart rejoice.
Your Majesty.
There's one thing I can do for you.
What is it?
I'll stay here to deal with Cao Cao and Guo Jia.
Let Leng Shou Guang protect you.
Sneak out of Lulong and return to the capital.
When you return to the capital, you'll have your own forces.
Protect the Sima family and Grand Commandant Yang first.
Then they won't be able to verify your identity.
Whatever Cao Cao might say, denounce it as slander.
Lead the loyal subjects in the capital to fight against Cao Cao once and for all.
Now, you're no longer on your own.
You can go all out.
You want me to leave you here?
Yes.
I've actually been thinking of another solution lately.
Since Guo Jia already knows half of the truth
we might as well tell him everything there is to know.
That won't do.
If Guo Jia knows it all, he's bound to tell Cao Cao.
If your identity is exposed, the imperial family will be wiped out!
If he was going to tell Cao Cao, he should have done so six days ago.
Instead of leaving him doubtful and making the worst possible guesses
we might as well be totally frank with him.
There might still be a chance to persuade him to be our ally.
That's impossible.
He's not Cui Yan or Xun Yu.
He's Cao Cao's subject.
It's because he's Cao Cao's subject
he can't possibly betray his master for my sake.
But judging from his love and concern for Sister Ren and those orphans
the broadness of his mind and conscience matter more than his strategies.
Don't worry.
If he really has Cao Cao's best interests at heart
he should understand that political unrest would be the last thing
they want in this current situation.
Since it has now come to such
we can only take a chance.
Back then, all of our fellow disciples had our own interests.
Mentor only passed down his medical skills to you.
Even if Mentor comes back to life
he won't be able to cure me of the various poisons in my blood, will he?
If you retire into the suburbs and lead a life free of worries
I can keep you alive for another 10 years.
Don't you know that you should take the doctor's advice?
Without beauties and great wine
what's the point in living another 100 years
if I have to stay away from all sorts of ploys and scheming?
Why would you save me?
So many of our fellow disciples would love to have me killed.
Don't you hate me at all?
I did.
However, blessings and disasters come hand in hand.
If it weren't for this disabled body
I wouldn't be able to...
I wouldn't be able to stay by her side every day.
I've been very content with my life in the past few years.
If it's for her sake...
shouldn't you kill me all the more?
Senior, why would you ask such a redundant question?
His Majesty sent me here to treat your illness.
You should have always known all too well
of His Majesty and the empress's sentiments.
Libationer Guo, it's a letter from the capital.
Senior, how can you recuperate when you're so worried about
everything that's happening everywhere?
Jia Wen He...
You started with Dong Zhuo, went to Zhang Xiu, and then to Duke Cao.
You're marred with the notoriety of a thrice-owned slave
and a traitor of the imperial family.
Who could have known that you were protecting
the imperial family all along?
His Majesty is actually the twin brother of the late emperor.
What do you intend to do about it?
After all...
I'm Duke Cao's subject.
Read it!
The officials and scholars in the capital charged into the palace?
I've only been away for a few days.
There's already such a huge mess in the capital.
It seems that I've been too lenient to those treacherous officials.
Father.
Since it's now been made known that the emperor is on this expedition
we might as well make an official announcement
that His Majesty is leading the army to combat rebels.
It can appease the public and boost our morale.
Father, how does that sound?
If so, wouldn't the imperial family take all of the credit
for Father's majestic victory in conquering the cities of the nomads?
This must not be done.
Father!
The nation is fragmented and all feudal lords have risen to power.
Father will need the emperor to justify your actions
and the emperor also needs your support!
Before the nation is united
collaborating with the emperor is our best choice.
Father--
There were only very few who knew that the emperor was on this expedition.
Do you know who leaked this information to stir up such a huge commotion?
Whoever it is, as long as he dares to go against Father
I definitely won't let him off.
I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Libationer Guo.
Your Majesty.
The light of dawn from all sides of this boundless landscape...
The scenery at the frontier is indeed different from that of the Central Plain.
Libationer Guo, you're really good at picking a location.
If we weren't so high up here, we wouldn't see such a magnificent view.
Your Majesty is now at the frontier
and yet you can manipulate the events as well as the people in the capital.
I'm deeply impressed.
Likewise.
A military strategist devises ploys in his tent
to win battles thousands of miles away.
I'm also very impressed by that.
Sima Yi and Young Master Yang address each other as brothers, don't you?
He dares to even devise such a strategy under my nose.
He must be the only one who can catch Guo Jia off guard.
I don't quite understand what you're talking about.
But I do have a twin brother.
After my mother was murdered, he was sent away to the commoners.
I know that you have informants in every corner of the world.
Could you seek him out for me?
I already know of Your Majesty's true identity.
However, that's meaningless.
Duke Cao can still use this as a way to destroy the imperial family.
Perhaps, Duke Cao does wish to destroy the imperial family.
What about you, Libationer Guo?
Palace Steward Leng.
Although you're a eunuch
His Majesty and I have regarded you as a friend we can trust.
We've never kept any of our secrets from you.
Your Majesty and Your Highness have treated me kindly.
I'm deeply grateful.
There are some words that I can say only to you.
I hope that you can bear this in mind.
Your Highness, please do tell.
His Majesty has gone to negotiate with Guo Jia today.
Once he fails in this attempt
I'll take my own life to be buried with the late emperor.
Cao Cao will surely be reproached and chastised
for forcing the empress to her death.
His Majesty will be able to return to the capital
with the excuse of escorting my coffin.
He can then join forces with Sima Yi to go up against Cao Cao.
After all... once I'm dead
it leaves no one any cause for slandering His Majesty.
Your Highness!
His Majesty refuses to accept this suggestion.
One day, when I'm dead
you have to convey my words and tell him to persevere.
He must safeguard the imperial family's sovereignty.
Your Highness!
There's no need to despair.
Minister Cao and Libationer Guo are both men who care about this nation.
What they wish for is the reunification of the nation.
It's not to destroy the imperial family.
Out here at the frontier where there isn't any constraint
His Majesty and Libationer Guo might be able to bare their hearts.
Now that the nation is yet at peace
and the nomads aren't suppressed
we can only go forth with our battle in the north.
The chaos back in the capital isn't what I had wished for.
Nor is it what you and Minister Cao would have wanted.
Your Majesty means to say that should any mishap befall you
the scholars of gentry from Hebei are bound to interfere.
Certainly 100 scholars mean nothing to us.
It's their families that could affect Minister Cao, isn't it?
The Han Empire has lasted 400 years now.
Deep in the minds of the gentries, they are still indebted to us.
Judging by Minister Cao's power
he might not care about these gentries.
It's just that Minister Cao has traveled past the Great Wall
to launch war upon the northern frontier.
The army has traveled so far.
He surely wouldn't wish to make this trip for nothing, would he?
However, it's a mess in the capital now.
Could Your Majesty have a way to pacify the unrest?
I'll announce an edict to say that I'm leading the expedition.
This will appease the officials.
Why would you do so?
It's for the unification of the Central Plain, the nation, and my people.
Libationer Guo, you're putting your talent to use
to assist Minister Cao in suppressing the rebels.
One day, would you also be willing to contribute your talent to me?
Your Majesty, you're well aware that I'm Duke Cao's confidant.
Yet you still dare to say such words to me.
Ever since I met you
I've kept you at arm's length but at the same time
I've been impressed by you again and again.
Your ambition isn't just to assist a feudal lord in hegemony, is it?
Your Majesty, how did it go?
Guo Jia...
Did he agree to your terms?
Before we win this battle, he won't go against me.
What about after we win this battle?
After we win this battle
I can't possibly sit around doing nothing.
Don't you worry.
I'd never allow anyone to hurt you and Zhong Da.
You'd dare to do anything just for his sake.
As long as he lives, would you rather die than serve my family?
I came all the way here with you.
When exactly do I get the chance to seek revenge?
It's tonight.
There's an epidemic of flu raging in the army.
This is when we let our guards down.
I'll send the guards away for you tonight.
Whether you succeed or not is up to how determined you are.
You risked your life to protect him last time.
Why do you want to kill him now?
I finally figured out what I've been pursuing in such agony.
His throne.
His strategist.
I can only have those after the emperor is dead.
The emperor...
He's my only obstacle.
Very good.
If the emperor is assassinated
everyone will assume that your father was behind it.
However, you'll be the one to benefit from it.
Am I right, my disciple?
You've already broken off from the very last of your affection.
In the future, your swordsmanship will surely surpass mine.
Affection?
Any affection I had in my life was no more than an illusion.
Sister Ren, thank you for offering us some comfort.
Although I can't make any decisions for him
I do know him better than the two of you.
Don't worry.
He's not some cunning and malicious man.
I'm also happy for you
that you and Libationer Guo are so honest with each other.
Life is short and insufferable.
I've spent half of my life without settling down.
I'm already tired.
Palace Steward said this morning
that he can guarantee him 10 more years of life.
Is it true?
If Libationer Guo can stay away from worries and chaos
I have the confidence to prolong his life by 10 years.
However, all this hectic traveling between battlefields...
I...
His health has deteriorated a lot more recently.
He's been coughing all night.
I'm really worried about him.
Is there really no other way to cure Libationer Guo's illness?
Liu Xie!
Die!
Sister Ren...
Guards!
There's an assassin!
Sister Ren!
- Sister Ren! - Sister Ren!
Leng Shou Guang!
Quickly!
Go after him!
The assassin is over here!
Arrest the assassin!
Arrest the assassin quickly!
- Stop right there! - Stop!
Stop right there!
Stay still!
The regulations of the Cao family.
We don't save the hostage!
Arrest the assassin!
Take me hostage.
You'd kill me?
Second Young Master!
Go after them!
Search!
Are you frightened?
Are you scared that I'll kill you?
You're the only successor to my swordsmanship.
How could I possibly kill you?
You've had your revenge.
You've mastered the swordsmanship as well.
You have to pass down my swordsmanship.
Once you've practiced the Wangs' Swordsmanship...
you can never be rid of... fear and fury.
This is my gift to you as well as a curse.
Second Young Master is over there!
Protect Second Young Master!
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